[Counter-intuitive Thinking] Winter vacant houses aren't just 'dangerous.' The moment they turn into local 'disaster reduction stations'

Today, I will talk about “winter vacant house risks”.
Frozen water pipes, electrical fires, collapse due to snow accumulation... these are things we hear about often, right?
But winter is also a season where the risk of arson and suspicious fires increases.

The reason is that the sun sets earlier, foot traffic decreases, and it becomes easier to overlook signs of fire.
In fact, there are statistical surveys showing that arson damage increases from November through the end of the year.

Don't just end with 'winter vacant houses are dangerous'

I'm sure you often hear things like, 'Vacant houses are dangerous, so let's dispose of them quickly,' or 'Please consider selling before winter comes.'

That is certainly not wrong.
Abandoned vacant houses are indeed a bundle of risks, and there is also the option of selling them by the end of the year for property tax reasons.

But I always think this: 'That is a conversation based on the premise that 'vacant house = bad guy,' isn't it?'

People who have circumstances where they can't sell even if they want to, people who suddenly became owners through inheritance, people who think they might return someday... the reasons are different for everyone.
Even if you just tell those people to 'let go of it because it's dangerous,' I don't think it makes their hearts any lighter.

That said, the risks are real.

Especially in winter, the problems I call the 'three major risks of winter vacant houses' overlap.

Winter vacant houses are actually a triple threat

The first is water pipe bursts due to freezing.
This is a classic. If you haven't drained the water, the pipes freeze and burst, and when spring comes, the house is flooded... that kind of thing.

The second is electrical fires.
This is a phenomenon where dust accumulates on plugs that have been left in outlets for a long time, absorbs moisture, and ignites.
To put it simply, this is a scary story where 'unused outlets catch fire on their own.'
It is dangerous when power outages and power restoration occur repeatedly due to typhoons or snow accumulation.

And the third is arson and suspicious fires.

Isn't this surprisingly a blind spot?

It's already pitch black by 5 PM, foot traffic decreases, and it's hard to notice if someone enters the premises.
If a mailbox is overflowing with direct mail, or if fallen leaves, dead grass, or cardboard boxes are piled up, it becomes an easy target.
Even according to Fire and Disaster Management Agency data, arson and suspicious fires tend to increase during periods with shorter daylight hours.

Sorry for all the scary stories.
But you know, this is where the main point comes in.

Turning a 'bundle of risks' into a 'local safety hub'

Vacant houses, which are thought of as bundles of risk, can become local resources depending on how you look at them.

Especially if you properly implement winter risk countermeasures, they can function as “disaster reduction stations” just like that.

For example, here is an image of that.

1. Create 'usable preparations' for water and electricity

If you run water periodically to prevent pipes from freezing, it becomes a base where water can be used during a disaster.
If you maintain the electricity contract, it can also function as a charging spot or a place to gather information during a power outage.

You might think, "But it's a waste of electricity money when I'm not using it..."

I understand.

But you know, if you think of it as adding one more safe local base for a basic monthly fee of a few thousand yen, it might actually be cost-effective.
Depending on the local government, there are cases where subsidies are provided for disaster prevention cooperation facilities.

2. Creating a mechanism to increase "watchful eyes"

The most effective measure against arson is actually"human presence."It really is.

For example, just having a neighbor "check on the situation from the outside once a week" makes a big difference.
Are flyers piling up in the mailbox? Is trash being dumped on the property?
Just by noticing those small changes, arsonists will avoid the place.

3. Creating a "sense of being managed" visible from the outside

This is plain, but super important.

Arson and suspicious individuals target places the moment they think, "No one is watching this place."
That's why it's important to send a sign that says, "Someone is actually looking after this."

For example.

• Mow the grass on the property 2-3 times a year (dead grass becomes fuel for arson)

• Install a sign with "Manager: [Name]" and contact information (this has pros and cons)

• Install security cameras (dummies are okay) in a conspicuous place

• Install sensor lights so they turn on when someone approaches at night

You can buy sensor lights at a home center for around 3,000 yen. If that lowers the risk of arson, it's a small price to pay.

Turning "owner's burden" into "local assets"

Having said that, there are people who say, "I don't have the capacity for that."

Living far away, being elderly and unable to move, or being in a difficult financial situation.

I understand.
I've talked to many owners, so I truly know how difficult it is.

That is precisely why I think the idea of 'not carrying the burden alone' is important.

If you consult with your local government, there are various systems available, such as vacant house banks or matching with people who want to move there.
Sometimes, NPOs or social welfare councils can help find organizations that want to utilize vacant houses.

In other words, instead of thinking 'I have to manage it perfectly all by myself,' there is also the option of 'protecting it together with someone else.'

For example, there are surprisingly many needs, such as local students wanting to use it as a study space or people looking to move wanting to try living there.
By having people 'use it just a little bit' in that way, the building is less likely to deteriorate, it gets regular human oversight, and the community is revitalized.

It's a win-win.

Winter is the chance to 'open up' your vacant house

The risks of vacant houses in winter are certainly scary.

If left unattended, freezing pipes, electrical fires, and arson can all happen.

But instead of thinking, 'That's why I should get rid of it,' why not think, 'That's why I should face it properly'?

How you face it can be up to you.

If visiting every week is impossible, once a month is fine.
If you can't manage it yourself, it's okay to rely on someone else.
Even if it's not perfect, just having the attitude of 'caring about it' makes that vacant house a completely different presence for the community.

And if possible, please try turning your winter risk countermeasures into 'a point of contact with the community'.

With just one request like, 'Could you keep an eye on it?' or 'Could you use it as a disaster prevention base?', a vacant house changes from a 'nuisance' into a 'reliable ally'.

Winter is a season of risk, but at the same time, it is also 'a chance to open up your vacant house to the community'.
Because it's a cold and dark season, warm and bright places are needed, aren't they?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if your vacant house could lead to someone's peace of mind this winter?

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